The group also flagged “reducing costs and raising productivity across its operations” as being behind the strong performance.

It came as revenue dipped from £3.5 billion to £3.2 billion in the period and the firm also stomached a £44 million hit from the collapse of Carillion.

The charge is linked to the delayed Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) – a joint venture with Balfour, Carillion and Galliford Try.

Boss Leo Quinn said: “All our businesses are now either achieving industry standard margins or on track to do so in the second half.

“The disciplines installed under Build to Last are also enabling us to increase the order book with key infrastructure projects to translate Balfour Beatty’s expert capabilities into future profitable growth.”

Mr Quinn is leading an overhaul of the company.

Underlying profit from operations rose to £66 million from £39 million, while Balfour’s order book increased to from £11.4 billion to £12.6 billion.

“Given the strength of our balance sheet and the board’s confidence that the group’s full-year earnings will meet expectations, we are raising the interim dividend by 33% and plan to repay the outstanding convertible bonds this year,” Mr Quinn added.